Dozens treated after rail car burns in Tenn.

Spill of hazardous material prompts thousands to flee

MARYVILLE, Tenn. — A CSX train car carrying hazardous material derailed and caught fire in the middle of the night in eastern Tennessee, forcing the evacuation of thousands of people and sending dozens to the hospital with respiratory issues and nausea.

The fire was still burning around noon Thursday, and officials said firefighters had been unable to get close to the burning car because of the heat. Blount County Mayor Ed Mitchell said there were also concerns that the fumes contained cyanide, a byproduct of burning the chemical acrylonitrile, which was leaking from the train car. The smoke had stopped by 6 p.m., however, Mr. Mitchell said.

About 5,000 people in the area were being evacuated, along with several businesses. A manufacturing plant, Denso Manufacturing, closed down Thursday morning because of its proximity to the derailment, Blount County firefighter Kermit Easterling said.

Officials said firefighters had been trying to hose down neighboring rail cars and keep them cool while also trying to move them away from the flames.

The damaged car was carrying liquid acrylonitrile, which officials said is a hazardous material used in multiple industrial processes including making plastics. It’s flammable and it’s dangerous if inhaled. The EPA says some effects of breathing acrylonitrile include headaches, dizziness, irritability and rapid heartbeat.

Fifty-two people were treated at Blount Memorial Hospital in Maryville, and 25 were admitted, hospital spokesman Josh West said. None had life-threatening injuries, but were experiencing respiratory issues, skin irritation and nausea, Mr. West said. Ten first responders were treated at the hospital after breathing fumes.

Craig Camuso, CSX regional vice president for state government affairs, said authorities didn’t know how much acrylonitrile was spewing out and burning, or how much remained in the tank.

The fire was reported shortly before midnight Wednesday.

Maryville City Manager Greg McClain told evacuees to plan to be away from home at least Thursday night. “We’re doing our very best to get you back to your homes as soon as possible,” he said.

Mr. Camuso said the rail company was putting people up in hotels, and would give them gift cards for food and essentials. “We will continue to do that for as long as it takes,” he said.

The Federal Railroad Administration said it had investigators and hazmat inspectors at the scene, and would investigate the cause once it’s safe.

Brittany Parrott said she was awakened by a knock on her apartment door about 4:30 a.m. Although she didn’t hear the derailment, she said she noticed the effects of it as she went outside. “You could smell it in the air,” she said. “I had a headache, I was feeling nauseated and lightheaded — all the symptoms.”